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JACOB — USA
Born April 29, 1993 Late-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested negative Gestational Age: Full-term Age Harmed: 7 weeks of age |
My pregnancy was great with no complications other than some mild high blood pressure. Jacob was born on his due date--April 29, 1993 with no complications. He was a healthy baby. On June 18, 1993 at about 11:00pm I fed Jacob a bottle that he finished with no problem. I went to put him down for the night in his bed. He cried at a high pitch. I thought it sounded like a pain cry. I picked him up and noticed he was a little gray in color and his breathing was quick. I called an ambulance and went to the emergency room. The doctor thought Jacob had a bladder infection because he had what seemed to be back pain. Jacob was admitted to the pediatric ward. In the morning I noticed he was much worse and he would not drink any bottles. I called the nurse. They could not get the doctor on call. The nurse (who is probably the reason my son is alive today) went to find a doctor. She found a neonatologist in the nursery who was from Floating Hospital in Boston. He and a local pediatrician did a spinal tap and it came back positive for B-strep Meningitis.
Jacob had also started having seizures. Because of the delay in diagnosing Jacob he suffered a stroke. He also ended up with a blood infection and needed a blood transfusion. Jacob spent 5 days in the pediatric intensive care unit and 9 days in the pediatric unit. Jacob is a miracle child to us and to the doctors. We were told that, because of the brain damage from the stroke, he would never walk and could be mentally retarded. Throughout Jacob's life he has had Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy which have helped him tremendously. Jacob is 14 years old and has just graduated from middle school. He is doing great and is very smart. He has some learning disabilities, but with some extra help in school he does very well. We are very lucky we had such a strong little boy who fought his way through this disease.
— Arlene Chisholm, MA, USA
Jacob had also started having seizures. Because of the delay in diagnosing Jacob he suffered a stroke. He also ended up with a blood infection and needed a blood transfusion. Jacob spent 5 days in the pediatric intensive care unit and 9 days in the pediatric unit. Jacob is a miracle child to us and to the doctors. We were told that, because of the brain damage from the stroke, he would never walk and could be mentally retarded. Throughout Jacob's life he has had Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy which have helped him tremendously. Jacob is 14 years old and has just graduated from middle school. He is doing great and is very smart. He has some learning disabilities, but with some extra help in school he does very well. We are very lucky we had such a strong little boy who fought his way through this disease.
— Arlene Chisholm, MA, USA
